The views of people with HIV and their professional carers about patients'views on involvement in decision-making and information-seeking were studied, using a standardized self-report instrument.

Patients and staff reported high levels of desire for patients'involvement in their care, but there were important differences between groups.

Staff had higher preference for patients'involvement in decision-making than the patients themselves, while the opposite was the case for information-seeking.

There were differences between professional groups and symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, social workers generally reporting higher preference for patients'autonomy, while doctors reported lower levels.